Budget

Shas threatens to oppose 2026 state budget over haredi food-voucher exclusion

If the budget is not approved by the end of March, the close of the fiscal year, the Knesset will automatically dissolve, and new elections will be called.

Shas leader MK Aryeh Deri seen during a Shas party meeting, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on January 23, 2023.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich after a press conference at the ministry, December 4, 2025; illustrative.

What did the gov’t approve for Israel’s 2026 state budget? - explainer

Gideon Sa'ar

Smotrich, Sa'ar approve NIS 2.35 billion in hasbara budget for campaigns, influencers in 2026

A TRAINING workshop for active community volunteers takes place at the Sha’ar HaNegev Resilience Center.

For Gaza border communities to rebuild, Israel must stop eroding resilience, support - opinion


Israel's 2026 state budget to be brought for gov't approval on Dec. 4 amid tensions

After passing the first hurdle of government approval, the budget proposal will still need to be brought to the Knesset’s plenum for three separate readings before it is finalized.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet seen at the Knesset plenum, June 11, 2025

Ohana: Knesset budget to be cut by NIS 125m. following two years of intense war with Hamas

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana announces a NIS 125 million budget cut for 2025, with the funds directed to the treasury to support Israel's economy amid ongoing challenges.

PRESIDENT ISAAC HERZOG addresses the Knesset plenum at the opening of the winter session on October 20, 2025.

Keep US aid and wartime replenishment off Israel’s 2026 base budget - opinion

Finance Minister Smotrich's 2026 defense budget must exclude US aid and wartime replenishment to ensure readiness against future threats.

The Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) has completed preparations for the arrival of US President Donald Trump at Ben Gurion Airport.

France's Macron reappoints former prime minister Lecornu as PM as political crisis deepens

In naming Lecornu, Macron risks the wrath of his political rivals, who have argued that the best way out of the political crisis was for Macron to either hold snap elections or resign.

French outgoing Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu delivers a statement in the courtyard at the Hotel Matignon in Paris after launching a series of talks with political parties' leaders as France faces a political crisis following the announcement of the resignation of the new government, France.

Knesset approves NIS 30 b. increase in defense budget for ‘war-related’ expenses

The bill passed its third reading with 55 in favor and 50 against, following a full day of speeches from the coalition and opposition members.

Knesset plenary session. September 29, 2025.

Strong on defense, weak on welfare: Israel neglects the social front - opinion

The social front has been neglected in Israel during the two years of war.

THE MASAH IM HALEV project: Pitchon Lev goes around different cities across the country and, together with hundreds of volunteers, distributes basics to families who receive support from the organization.

‘Shameful’: Smotrich faces uproar from bereaved families amid push for NIS 30b. defense budget rise

Bereaved families slammed Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for skipping a meeting on aid, as he pushed a NIS 30b defense budget increase.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a committee meeting on September 14, 2025.

Knesset to vote on NIS 30 billion increase in defense budget, making cuts to other ministries

Israel’s 2025 budget vote will boost defense by NIS 30b, with haredi MKs set to abstain, leaving the tied coalition hoping the measure will still pass.

A plenum session at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, September 10, 2025.

Our money, their shares: A way to return funds to the public - opinion

Is the government’s role solely to stimulate growth and employment, or also to ensure that the public becomes a full partner in the profits of hi-tech success?

New Israeli Shekel bills are seen in front of an upwards-trending graph (illustration)

The state of the Israeli economy - opinion

One major difficulty when evaluating Israel’s current economic situation is the lack of concrete data about the government’s operational plans regarding the war in Gaza.

FINANCE MINISTER Bezalel Smotrich addresses a news conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem earlier this month. That Smotrich is not an economist, and is quite ignorant of current economic theory and practice, is no secret, says the writer.

Your Investments: Don’t let summer heat burn your finances

Start planning and saving well in advance of the summer so that the sudden expenses don’t send you scrambling to try and find the money to pay for them.

 Mother and toddler sitting under the tree during summer vacation. (Illustrative).